Medical Council President highlights link between a diverse workforce and safer patient outcomes
Thursday, 26th June 2025: As Pride month continues, the President of the Medical Council, Dr Suzanne Crowe, has today encouraged people from diverse backgrounds to consider a career in medicine.
Dr Crowe, who works in paediatric intensive care, says that an inclusive medical workforce leads to greater understanding of patients’ needs, culturally competent care, and ultimately, better health outcomes for patients: “Pride month allows us to pause and reflect on the importance of accepting people for who they are.
"Medicine as a profession welcomes people from all walks of life and can be a very rewarding career for those who have experienced marginalisation and are seeking to contribute to an inclusive, modern society. This year’s Dublin Pride theme of Taking Liberties encompasses the importance of freedom of expression, not repression. I would encourage students of all ages and backgrounds to consider a career in medicine or healthcare in Ireland.
“Championing diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace will support your patients and your future colleagues. In 2024, nearly 42% of doctors clinically active in Ireland received their primary medical qualification outside of an Irish Medical School. Without International Medical Graduates working in Ireland, our health service would collapse immediately.”
“Doctors care for underrepresented groups and minorities every day, and we ourselves are cared for by doctors from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. A diverse workforce not only supports equality but plays an important role in clinical effectiveness. Numerous studies have shown that patients are more likely to adhere to treatment plans and report positive experiences when they feel understood and respected by their doctor or provider. In multicultural, multilingual settings like Ireland, these factors directly impact outcomes and patient safety.
“Historically, medicine wasn’t always a welcoming profession in Ireland for LGBTQI+ people. Increased awareness and visibility of LGBTQI+ identities within the profession is improving but more work is needed to ensure that LGBTQI+ patients can access inclusive and timely care that meets their needs, especially mental health treatment and specialist trans healthcare. Although the Gender Recognition Act of 2015 enabled legal gender self-declaration in Ireland, trans and gender diverse adults continue to face barriers in accessing inclusive primary and specialist healthcare. We have come a long way, but gaps in awareness, empathy and knowledge still exist.
“Training opportunities, such as LGBT Ireland’s LGBT+ Champions programme, are available to doctors and healthcare professionals to help them understand the identities and advocate for the needs of their LGBTI+ patients. These are provided by LGBT Ireland, the HSE, post graduate training bodies, universities, advocacy groups and charities,” Dr Crowe concluded.